David Chase memorializes James Gandolfini

Updated 7:49 am, Friday, June 28, 2013

Photo: Mary Altaffer

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Actress Jamie Lynn Sigler, right, is embraced as she leaves the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine after the funeral service for James Gandolfini, Thursday, June 27, 2013 in New York. Gandolfini, who played Tony Soprano in the HBO show "The Sopranos", died while vacationing in Italy last week. less

Actress Jamie Lynn Sigler, right, is embraced as she leaves the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine after the funeral service for James Gandolfini, Thursday, June 27, 2013 in New York. Gandolfini, who ... more

Photo: Mary Altaffer

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Actors Steve Schirripa, center, and John Ventimiglia arrive for the funeral service of James Gandolfini, star of "The Sopranos," in New York's the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, Thursday, June 27, 2013. The 51-year-old actor died of a heart attack last week while vacationing in Italy with his son.(AP Photo/Richard Drew) less

Actors Steve Schirripa, center, and John Ventimiglia arrive for the funeral service of James Gandolfini, star of "The Sopranos," in New York's the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, Thursday, June 27, ... more

Photo: Richard Drew, ASSOCIATED PRESS

David Chase memorializes James Gandolfini

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The creator of "The Sopranos" said at James Gandolfini's funeral that the actor brought the traits of a sad boy, "amazed and confused," to the role of Tony Soprano.

One of four speakers at the funeral, Chase gave his remarks in the form of a letter to Gandolfini, in the present tense. The actor's widow, Deborah Lin Gandolfini, and two family friends, were also speakers at the ceremony.

Chase remembered that Gandolfini once told him that "you know what I want to be? A man. That's all. I want to be a man." Chase said he marveled upon hearing that, since Gandolfini represented a man so many others wanted to be.

Paradoxically, Chase said he always felt he was seeing a young boy.

"A sad boy, amazed and confused," he said. "You could see it in your eyes. That's why you were a great actor."

The 51-year-old actor best known for his role as mob boss Tony Soprano in the HBO series died of a heart attack last week while vacationing with his son in Italy.

Celebrities and fellow actors were in the audience, along with members of the public who wanted to salute Gandolfini's work.